Croatia Travel Blog

Nin

Things to do in Nin, Croatia

Nin is settled on the high position the most romantic cities in Europe, in 2015, according to the opinion of the portal Best Destinations.

On a little island in the middle of a shallow lagune can be found the small city of Nin, Croatia. Nin is connected to the coast by 2 stone bridges from the sixteenth century. The contemporary city on the isle developed 3,000 years ago is one of the older cities in the Adriatic. The Croats settled Nin at the start of the seventh century. the primary Croatian state community was shaped at the end of the eighth and beginning of the ninth century. Nin was the primary Croatian royal city. Nin became the seat of the Croatian bishops, also. The loveliness of Nin today can thanks to the Nin in past.

Nin is known for its healthful mud that dependably cures several diseases. There is a saltpan for manufacturing of salt and whose tradition could be a thousand years ago. Touching the toe on the sculpture of Grgur Ninski is a tradition that brings a luck. Indeed, one foreign portal has enclosed it among the 10 most romantic world symbols of luck. Give a try!

What to see in Nin, Croatia

Church of St Nicholas

A recognizable image of Nin is St Nicholas Church which is settled in the field of Prahulje. According to tradition, seven Kings were crowned in Nin, and every crowned ruler rode on horseback to the St Nicholas Church, and it was in here because of presenting to the people by the symbolic ritual of that time.

Church of St Anselm

The parish St Anselm Church is settled in the center of Nin, and it was the Nin’s cathedral during the rule of Croatian Kings and later. This church was built during the 6th century and restored during the reign of King Zvonimir in 1070. It must be mention that through history suffered damage several times and assumed its present-day appearance in the 18th century.

The Smallest Cathedral in the World

The Church Holy Cross is also called „the smallest cathedral in the world“ and is the most valuable preserved monument of early Croatian religious architecture and is also one of Nin’s symbols. This church dominates the area by its position and beauty. It was built in the in the Early Christian period, 9th century. It is 7.80 m long, 7.60 m wide, and 8.20 meters in height (inside measures) and the walls are 57cm thick. The Holy Cross Church was built on the remains of ancient houses which are visible even today. During the reign of Croatian Kings the church was served as a Court chapel for the nearby Duke’s Court. A numerous of medieval graves were discovered around the church.

The Church of St Ambrose

The Church of St Ambrose from the 13th century is a beautiful single-nave church with Romanesque-Gothic characteristics. It is located near the Upper City Gate where once the Benedictine Monastery of St Ambrose stood, whose original construction was mentioned as early as 941.

The Baptismal Font of Duke Viseslav

The Baptismal Font of Duke Viseslav is one of the most important monuments. The Duke Viseslav was first Croatian Duke who reigned around the 9th century and because of that, this baptismal font is one of the most important monuments of church furnishing. This hexagonal stone vessel, this monument is witness to the time when Croats were Christianised. The replica of the baptismal font can be found in the Nin Museum, while the original is kept in the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split.

Condura Croatiaca

The story of Nin goes further in the past and tell us a story of prosperity based on salt as well as its long maritime tradition, and do not forget recognizable boats called Condura Croatica. These boats were made and probably sailed during the reign of the Croatian national Kings, Kresimir IV and Zvonimir. Condura Croatica is kept today in the Museum of Nin Antiquates in a special pavilion, and a replica is exhibited in the Adriatic Sea near the lower city bridge. But that is not all, in the same museum can be seen a copy of part of the boat Serilia Liburnica from the 1st century. However, in order to visualize the appearance of these historical boats, it is not necessary to go to museums, it is enough just to look at the shallow Nin sea where are located about 100 wooden boats, masterpieces of traditional boat-building, and sail. These boats are also called „kaic“, „plazulja“ or „batela“. To see them and sail in them will be an encounter with tradition and pleasure at the same time. Past and present have joined in Nin for you…

Museum of Nin Antiquities

If you want to know about an important part of the history of Nin in the shortest possible time, visit the Museum of Nin Antiquities is advised.

Gold and Silver of Nin

Gold and Silver of Nin
Nin has numerous churches ones which once existed and which preserved till today a real treasure. Part of the artistic items is kept in the collection of Church art, the Gold and Silver in the Nin, and can be found in a specially prepared area next to the parish Church, the onetime Cathedral. You have the opportunity to see items from the period of the foundation of the diocese of Nin and earlier at this place. The collection of “silver and gold” also contains exceptionally valuable reliquaries of the heavenly patron saints of St Anselm, St Ambrose and St Marcela from the end of the 8th – 15th century. This valuable treasury also contains a Judas silver coin and the ring of Pope Pio II from the 15th century, the painting of the appearance of Our Lady and other valuable objects.

Museum of Salt

Nin has a numerous of natural wealth such as salt, a source of existence, but also a tradition which recently was converted into a unique institution and tourist attraction The Museum of Salt. So,if you are interested to see a traditional way of salt production, or souvenirs from salt, or would like to taste some of them such as “the flower of salt“, by many called the „caviar of salt“ you are at the right place which will take you to a really special world of the saltpans of Nin, so different from what you have seen, experienced or tasted so far, you are very welcome.

Roman Temple

In the very center of Nin, on the location of the once Roman forum, the remains of a monumental Roman Temple can be found, the biggest on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. They date from the second half of the 1st century AD., from the reign of the Roman Emperor Vespasian 69-79 AD.

Grgur Ninski

According to the legend, touching the big toe of the bronze statue of Grgur Ninski bringing a good luck. This bishop, Grgur Ninski, had his seat in Nin from 900-929. Grgur Ninski was the head of the Nin Church in time of King Tomislav, 925, which in that time meant being the head of the whole Croatian Church.

Queen’s Beach

The most famous beaches in Nin is a three-kilometer-long Queen’s beach. According to legend, the Queen, the wife of the first Croatian King Tomislav was attracted by the beauty of this beach. Because of that the Royal Family would visit this beach every time when they officially came to Nin. Hence the name of the beach. This beach is an extremely long shallow beach, and families with small children, even today, enjoy. The interesting fact is that you should pass over a ten meter long shallow stretch of water in order to reach it. In its vicinity, there is the largest known location of medicinal mud in Croatia. According to the choice of the American Travel Channel, the Queen’s Beach is at the top of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

What to do in Nin, Croatia

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

Nin lagoon is the most suitable for windsurfing as well as the increasingly popular kitesurfing and all because of favorable winds. For beginners and those who want to rebuild the sports skills, let’s say that there are organized schools of all these sports and there you can rent top quality equipment.

Horse Riding

The local equestrian club organizes tourist recreational riding for children and adults, riding lessons and therapeutic riding.

Donkey Farm

You can visit nearby Donkey Farm by bicycle with organized tour and riding, as well as tasting healthy donkey’s milk which in addition to the health has the effect on the beauty. Windsurfing and Kitesurfing